The Rise of the Polis

The Greek Dark Ages, the Rise of the City State and Colonization

Collapse and Rebirth

Ca, 1200 – 1100Mycenaean's overthrown Iron wielding invaders Known settlements ca. 1200 BC = 320 Ca. 1075 BC = 40 Linear B Greek disappearsMycenaean's migrate to Anatolia

Athens:One of few centres to remain stable

The Greek Dark Age

Ca. 1100 BC - 776 BC

Archaic Period

776 BC - 479 BC Emergence of the Greek PolisSteady increase in economic activitySteady increase in populationSpread of literacy Colonization Political upheavalThe emergence of the Hoplite warrior

The Polis

By 776 BC:Polis already exists in rudimentary

formMonarchies all but goneCollective of the wealthiestOligarchyBuilt on defensive principles

Polis design

Hilltop fortifications:Not palaces but public spacesAcropolis

Near but not on the coast "It is obviously better both for ensuring an

abundance of necessities and for defensive reasons that the state and its territory should have access to the sea" (Arist.Pol.7.6)

Polis design

Acropolis of Athens

Detienne, Marcel. ‘The Gods of Politics in Early Greek Cities’ Janet Lloyd, trans. in Arion,vol. 12, no.2. 2004; 49 – 66.

The “political domain” is formed when people “…meet together in an assembly, to discuss matters of common interest” (p.52)

Detienne’s thesis is that this practice can be traced to the temple

Herman, Gabriel. 2007. Morality and Behaviour in Democratic Athens: A Social History. Cambridge UP.

The ‘political domain’ is formed in the assembly of the soldiers.

The fact that each member of the hoplite class had ready access to weapons was not a threat to internal concord and stability, but rather the guarantor.

The Hoplite Revolution

The New Warrior

Disappearance of warrior elite Chicken-and-egg?Warrior elite replaced by citizen soldier Citizen soldier makes elite moot

Increase in prosperity The middle-class farmer could afford

weapons Place Identity Men were now able to defend themselves…Willing to defend a place

Emergence:

710 BC at Argos Earliest panoply

720 at Athens Earliest depiction in art

Panoply

Concave shield (hoplon 36”)

Corinthian Helmet (with horse hair plume)

Tunic (kiton) Cuirass Greaves Thrusting Spear

Slashing Sword Total: +/- 70 lbs.

The Hoplite Phalanx Easy to train and assemble Cannot be broken by chariots or cavalry

(head on) Can only be stopped by another phalanx

Phalanx

Phalanx

Just like the polis, the phalanx depends upon the cooperation and mutual support of many men

Battle

Based on agreement of and adherence to a set of rules

Open plainOne short clash of massed infantry:Two phalanxes charge and clashAgreement of victory/ defeat Post-battle truce

Definition of a Polis1. Was an autonomous city-state not dependent

upon any national association.2. Was formed and maintained specifically for the

betterment of an homogenous social group.3. Had, as its centre (both civic and commercial) a

Marketplace (agora).4. Controlled the agricultural territory (chora),

including villages, of various size.5. Had a participatory citizenry6. Operated under Laws and was capable of

defining those Laws.

However…Greek culture remained stratified:Aristocracry:Descendents of the warrior eliteMaintained the Aristocratic Ethos Crisis subsistence insurance Reserved the Right to Declare the Law!

Demos:A new self-aware middle class

Thetes:Still and always… the poor.

Synoicism

The consolidation of several small towns with a larger city into a single polity centred on that large city.

Big fish/ little fish story?What happens to the Basileus of the

small town? Does synoicism explain the emergence of the oligarchic council?

Synoicismos

Political Philosophy

Thucydides i.8…For the love of gain would reconcile

the weaker to the dominion of the stronger, and the possession of capital enabled the more powerful to reduce the smaller towns to subjection.

Colonization:The Polis as Parasite

Overpopulation Caused by increased prosperity Colonies promote more trade

AvailabilityUnder population of region

CapabilityShipsWeapons

Methods

Metropolis (Mother City) Chooses the siteSelects an oikistesDecides who can (and will) go

Apoikia (colony)Oikistes distributes land Culturally and politically tied to

Metropolis Citizenship

Expanded Greek World

Trade Routes